When Mocha Momma told me my assignment was to profile Karen, I saluted...
When the children leave home and we start our band, it'll be named Lego Stigmata. Our front-woman will be Troll Baby.
Because she, of all people, understands the experience of being jolted from sleep by a child's shrieks, stumbling across a dark house to help, only to drown out the child with your own screams of profanity as the one sharp Lego you were too lazy to pick out of the living room rug tears into the tender arch of your foot.
It will be a metal band. Our lyrics will have a conscience. And a pole. For dancing.
Because you cannot predict Karen. Prompt and professional as a contributing editor on BlogHer.org, sought-after as a designer for so many blogs, she is also profane, profound and profoundly funny on Troll-Baby.com. But that's enough from me. Here's Karen in her own words, live from our email exchange, and definitely unfiltered...
1. Song you could listen to over and over again that you think no
one appreciates?
Inside and Out - Feist
2. When did you start blogging and why? Or Talk about your blog.
What can I learn about you in under 5 minutes?
I started blogging shortly after Thomas was born. I was going through
post-partum, addicted to Dooce, and loved the internet's attention.
I'm an attention whore. Online, anyway. Okay, sometimes in real life
too. After a few drinks. Or 12. is that alot?
3. Finish this sentence: On a good day, I …..
don't yell at my kids. Most days I don't actually, so most days are
good days. If I catch myself doing that, I stop - too many bad
memories of my own physcho mother going off, and I don't want my kids
to remember that. Besides, they are pretty damn good kids anyway. My
adulthood has more than made up for my childhood. I'm a pretty happy
person, all around.
4. Who do you read every day, rain or shine? Or Have you found a
treasure on the internet? (or something like that)
Dooce, Suburban Turmoil, Sweetney, Mir (both sites - Woulda Coulda
Shoulda and Want Not), Miss Ann Thrope....oh who am I kidding? If
you're on my blogroll, you are checked almost daily.
5. Speaking of that, which do you prefer: rain or shine?
Doesn't matter. We're inside alot.
6. How would you describe your writing style?
All over the fucking place. I am funny sometimes, introspective other
times, supportive towards others other times, and then there's all the
shit in between.
7. If you could spend time with one person (other than your spouse,
because really, let's not rack up the suck up points here)
Oh there are so many. Mir. Hands down. She and I became fast friends
online and I can't wait to kiss her full on the mouth. Or cheers her
with a drink. Whichever. Maybe both.
8. What don't you write about? Anything considered a no-no in your book?
Anything that could get hubby fired. Anything I wouldn't want my
family to be upset about - they are all really cool, but respect to
the peeps.
9. Major projects coming up? With work? Home life? Or What is your
proudest accomplishment?
I'm a walking major project. There are a few things going on I can't
talk about. I will have to buy stock in coffee if I'm going to
continue at this pace. These all-nighters are hurting my brain.10. How do you feel about meeting bloggers in real life? Are you
nervous? Will you have great expectations? What do you hope to take
away from the BlogHer experience?
Not THAT nervous - more excited than anything. I know I'm a freak at
parties, and as long as I don't spit on anyone while I talk, I'm
pretty sure I won't mortify myself. The only person I'm SUPER nervous
about meeting is Dooce. Earlier this year, I was nicknamed "The
Canadian Dooce" by 2 readers and I asked her (via email) for her
blessing to put that on my masthead. Never heard back. I hope I
didn't offend, though I know she is busy.
11. What is your favorite thing that you wrote? What got a strong
reaction from readers?
Anything that people say made them snort, or spit liquid, makes me
satisfied. Plus my Heart entry, Stupid Little Bitch entry and
Deadbeat Dads entry (all in my sidebar) all made me feel really good
about sharing. I've had 99% supportive comments and emails from
people. That's pretty cool.
12. Have you written anything controversial? Is blogging controversial?
I don't think I have. My psycho mother might disagree, but then she
would pass out and we could just step over her.
13. Three favorite foods? How about ones that you make? Guilty
pleasures? Homemade popcorn with White Cheddar powder shaker stuff ( A
METRIC FUCKTON OF IT), Kraft Dinner, and chocolate. My ass is fat,
how? Oh wait, I know how.
14. If you had a super power, what would it be?
I did have a superpower - making milk. Glad that shit is over. LOL!
I would like the ability to function on NO sleep at all. I could get
so much shit done.
15. Favorite drink? (Coffee or otherwise. This may be an
extremely obvious choice for me)
Non alcoholic - coffee with non-fat french vanilla creamer, or water -
I love my water! Alcoholic - Baileys, Kaluha, Flavoured Martinis, Rickards Red Honey
Brown or Pale Ale.
BRING ON THE PAR-TAY AT BLOGHER! I can't wait!!!!!!!!
Join the party! Here's how.
Everyone's invited, whether you'll be at the conference or not. And if you do participate, I beseech you, please don't make us search -- tag your posts BlogMe and BlogHer06 and add your link to your own answers or those of a friend below.
Everyone in the pool now...I'll update this post with my tags tomorrow. Want to make sure I ping some people who haven't yet joined in...
Photo credits: Karen Rani's Flickr photostream.
...Karen, you realize this means I'm going to corner Lisa and You and force Lisa to introduce you to Heather while I point and laugh.
At least I promise to get a few drinks in you first.
Posted by: QofS | July 18, 2006 at 01:21 AM
Yay! The Karen interview!
I was going to be very serious, Lisa (really! I was!) about this, but then the Queen appealed to my demographic which is:
1. immature
2. daring
and
3. ummm... just plain stupid
Please let me be there when you force Karen to meet Heather. Please? I'm going to snicker and point and giggle and then be all "What? I didn't do anything" while I'm crossing my legs to keep from peeing.
All very becoming of a blogger.
Posted by: Mocha | July 18, 2006 at 08:14 AM
Yeah. I made a fool of myself when I met Dooce. Oh well. :)
Fortunately, there are so many more excellent folks with whom to hang that I think we'll all be fine.
Posted by: Kari | July 18, 2006 at 09:55 PM
Oh noooooooo you don't, QofS! I was paralytically shy as a child and hated meeting new people, so you're safe with me Karen.
Not that you'd need my help. The few times I've met her, Heather's impressed me as the kind of friendly, funny, self-effacing person who can put anyone at ease.
Now Mocha, what exactly WILL happen if we make you laugh long and hard enough?
Posted by: Lisa Stone | July 18, 2006 at 10:43 PM
Actually, I'm pretty good about meeting new people. I'm sure Heather and I will get along just fine - after reading her for a coupla years, I'm pretty sure she's a freak like me. In a good way. :)
Nice try Erin! Ha ha!
Posted by: Karen Rani | July 19, 2006 at 08:28 AM
Oh and I meant to say Lisa, thank you for all the kind words you said about me. You have good taste. :)
Posted by: Karen Rani | July 19, 2006 at 08:30 AM
I'll piddle, that's what.
Then you may turn your attention to my soaked pants. And giggle some more.
Posted by: Mocha | July 19, 2006 at 12:13 PM
I can't wait to meet Karen (and Lisa and Mary and Mir and all you fabulous babes). Methinks she's wicked cool :)
Posted by: Izzy | July 20, 2006 at 08:40 PM